Merlin's Order

Chapter Seven

Merlin's Order

Severus shifted his feet on the grubby London pavement, impatient and uncomfortable. He hadn't worn his formal robes since the day of his resurrection, and he felt suffocated and hot inside his frockcoat. Perhaps it was the warmer climate of southern England which made his attire so ill-suited; he'd worn these exact same clothes during northern summers in his hometown without any difficulty.

At his side, Tess looked equally uneasy in her formal robes. Neither of them knew the reason for this sudden summons, and being forced to wait outside the public entrance to the Ministry of Magic seemed undignified. She squeezed his hand gently as they waited for the ring of the public telephone.

Three weeks had now passed since his resurrection, and surprisingly, Severus felt ready to meet the glare of publicity which would surely follow this little excursion. Since he'd reinstated his memories, his perspective had altered; whilst he still treasured his childhood memories of friendship with Lily, he'd also consolidated the events of later years, reinforcing how fortunate he had been to find Tess. He'd never before experienced someone who took the time to understand him and meet his needs as she did.

However, it remained difficult for him to comprehend why Tess wanted to be with him. Even though the sale of Spinner's End had completed, they had not yet discussed their living arrangements because Severus was scared she'd decline his invitation to move in with him. No matter how hard he tried, he could not identify the qualities which she seemed to find so attractive, and despite her multiple reassurances, insecurity and self-doubt continued to inform his actions.

As such, Severus noticed Tess's nervousness as they baked under the heat of the midday sun. He hoped this was merely a sign of stage fright, rather than underlying uncertainty about their relationship. The spotlight would soon shine on their romance, and if she were going to run, she would have to do so now, before passing this imminent point of no return.

Seeming to sense his turmoil, Tess pulled down on his hand, drawing his attention.

"This is the first time we've left the Leaky Cauldron to be seen together as a couple, Severus," Tess said, biting her lip. "How do you feel?"

He couldn't vocalise how he was feeling, not without revealing the tumult within, so instead, he deflected with conversation. "I'm glad I didn't wear my cloak. The city heat is stifling. You, however, look bewitching. Far too classy for this neighbourhood."

His digression worked; Tess blushed and rose onto tiptoes to kiss him... in public, Severus realised. Well, almost in public, if the tramp lying asleep and snoring from intoxication on the other side of the road could be regarded as an adequate witness.

Their moment of connection ended with the insistent ring of the telephone. Severus held down a nauseating swirl of anticipation as he opened the door to the red telephone box and picked up the transceiver.

"Severus Snape speaking," he said into the Muggle device.

"Hello, Mr Snape," replied the welcome witch. "When you and Professor Marchbanks are inside the cubicle, please close the door and hang up the handset. Welcome to the Ministry of Magic."

The ting of the handset sounded as he replaced the device and turned to Tess.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

She smiled. "I think so."

They stepped awkwardly into the tiny booth, and their warm bodies pressed together in the tight space. Severus caught the aroma of Tess's favourite perfume: jasmine. Closing his eyes, he tried to compose himself.

Their descent took less than a minute, and soon the door to the cramped telephone box was opening to the sound of thunderous applause from hundreds of people. They were surrounded, front and back, by rows and rows of witches and wizards, all turned to face the newcomers, clapping their hands, whooping and whistling with delight.

In a moment of blind panic, Severus turned back to the cubicle, hoping to make a hasty retreat, but the telephone box was already ten feet above, receding into the arches of the tiled ceiling. Severus felt a paralysing rush of nausea, and his robes became unbearably hot.

A long aisle in front of him led to the heart of the Atrium, where the Fountain of Magical Brethren stood fully restored. At the foot of the golden statues, he could discern several Ministry officials, including the Minister for Magic wearing striking violet robes. Shacklebolt was smiling, laughing, and beckoning Severus forward.

Tess recovered first from the shock. She tugged Severus's hand and took a step forward, prompting him to move. As they transcended the aisle, he noticed numerous familiar faces lining its edges. Walking past the audience and staring straight ahead, ex-colleagues and students stepped forward to slap him on the back, smiling, cheering, and some even wiped tears from their eyes.

Utterly perplexed by the unexpected heraldry, Severus noticed Tess seemed tense; she clung to his hand, shaking slightly. When she glanced up at him, she appeared unnerved, searching his expression for signs of his reaction. He fleetingly wished the connection between the Tiger's Eye rings could tell him what she was thinking and feeling. Had she known this was going to happen?

When they reached the front row, Nathan Marchbanks stepped forward and offered Tess his arm, and as he led her away, he sneered at Severus. An immediate suspicion flooded Severus's mind... Tess's brother knew how much he would hate the pomp and circumstance and had probably arranged the whole thing just to make him squirm.

Severus made a pact with himself to behave with grace and dignity; he may not want the wizarding world to applaud him for his actions, but he could deprive Nathan of the satisfaction of seeing him ill at ease.

Shacklebolt pressed the tip of his wand into his throat, magically amplifying his voice above the noise of the crowd, and they quickly cowed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Severus Snape to the finale of this, our third awards ceremony since the fall of Voldemort."

Severus twitched, and when he looked around, he noticed a dozen-or-so people, many of them Aurors and Ministry officials, wearing silver and bronze medals around their necks. Suddenly, his heart threatened to punch a hole in his ribcage...

Forcing himself to stand steady, his eyes widened at the sight of Harry Potter, appearing from behind the Minister for Magic, carrying a velveteen cushion upon which lay a golden medal. Shacklebolt picked up the medallion and freed the black ribbon, displaying the award like a chain of office. Potter was the first to applaud when Severus stepped forward and allowed the Order of Merlin to be placed upon his chest. The Atrium's onlookers followed with deafening applause.

Severus looked around for Tess to find tears of pride leaking down her cheeks, and suddenly the enormous gathering of witches and wizards ceased to matter. Severus didn't notice that Harry Potter had approached him, offering a handshake. He didn't see Hermione Granger in tears, or Ronald Weasley at her side, clapping loudly. And he didn't see Neville Longbottom dressed in the robes of an Auror.

What he plainly saw was the love and adoration upon Tess's face, and in that moment, he felt like he could slay dragons. His feet propelled him forward, and within moments, she was safe in his arms, gazing giddily into his eyes. There was no need for the Tiger's Eye connection; Severus could sense her feelings as loudly as his own, and his courage sprung forth like a phoenix in full flight.

"Tess," he said, loud enough for her to hear over the celebrating crowd. "Will you come and live with me?"

She smiled, touched his cheek, and answered him with a kiss.

"I had no idea you could dance like this," Tess whispered into Severus's ear. He felt the tickle of her warm breath against his ear lobe, and he tried hard not to show any outward emotion to onlookers. When she withdrew, her face beamed with happiness which fell like sunlight upon his face.

Tess hadn't stopped smiling since they'd shared their first kiss in public a little over an hour ago. Despite the formal setting, cracks were now developing in his well-practised, taciturn manner, and he realised the woman in his arms had melted away some of the iciness he usually displayed in public.

"Being friends with the Malfoys had some advantages," Severus replied, guiding her gently in his arms. "They taught me the basics."

Tess's smile became teasing. "They took a young man from the wrong side of town and introduced him to the wizarding elite. I bet the Malfoys taught you Received Pronunciation, table etiquette and how to sneer at the lower classes."

"Unlike you, who learned such things from birth." Severus swept Tess around with a flourish, preventing her from mounting a defence. From her expression, he could see she had accepted the remark in good humour.

Severus's gaze wandered to the periphery of the Atrium, through the throng of cavorting couples who led the first dance of the Order of Merlin celebration. The weight of the gold medal felt strange against his chest.

"Have you heard from the Malfoys since they were pardoned?" Tess asked, noticing his expression.

"Not a dicky bird," Severus replied contemplatively.

Tess's laughter broke away his gaze from the crowd. Her eyes were shining.

"We've been in London for less than an hour, and already you're speaking Cockney Rhyming Slang. The Malfoys would not approve."

Severus felt his lip quirk. "I'm more concerned that I'll absorb your Welsh lilt. I could never teach again, let alone be seen in broad daylight."

Tess nudged him gently in the ribs. "I think you're more likely to pick up a northern accent when you return to live in Lancashire. I can't wait to hear you shortening your 'a's and saying 'luke' instead of 'look'."

Severus attempted to evoke the dulcet tones of his primary-school years, whispering in her ear, "When yeh move in, we'll speak proper, together."

His effort made Tess giggle. "I'm on pins and needles now, although we'll have to wait to until my first week at Hogwarts is finished before I move in. Hopefully, I'll get weekends off."

"Only the Heads of House need reside at weekends," Severus confirmed.

"So, we'll get three nights a week at home together in Downham," Tess contemplated. "Oh, just wait until I tell Nate I'm moving in with a Death Eater." She pulled a face of mock horror.

Severus couldn't restrain an amused chuckle, but his levity was cut short by a tap on the shoulder. Realising the music was fading, he turned to see Minerva McGonagall standing beside him expectantly.

"May I have this dance, Severus?" Minerva said, her usual primness contrasting strangely with nervousness.

Tess let go of him and stepped away. "Be my guest," she said generously and flitted away into the waiting arms of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Minerva stepped awkwardly into Severus's arms and waited for the music to begin. Severus felt detached as he watched Tess chatting to Kingsley, as though his sense of happiness had been stripped away. He stared longingly over his dance partner's shoulder, until Minerva suddenly moved, and he realised the orchestra were playing. He quickly restored his composure and moved mechanically to the music.

"Severus," Minerva began awkwardly. "I feel the need to apologise."

Inwardly, he cringed. His eschewal from the wizarding world had meant he'd avoided such uncomfortable conversations, but now he was being inextricably dragged into the mire.

"I should have trusted you," his ex-colleague said. "I never should've doubted you."

Severus cleared his throat. "Minerva, it was essential that you doubted me. If you'd continued to trust me, the Carrows would have been suspicious."

Minerva seemed to absorb this slowly. "I still wish I'd known. I could've helped you. Instead, I hindered you. And my interference led to your death. I'm... so sorry."

Hearing the sincerity of her words, Severus ached with a sorrow which reminded him of the consequences of his own actions... the ones which had led to Lily's death.

They spent the rest of the dance in silence. As the song came to an end, Severus searched for a response, but he found no words.

Minerva's hand brushed his chest and touched the medal hanging around his neck. "You deserve this, more than anyone I know."

"Thank you for looking after Tess," Severus managed to say.

"It's the least I could do," she replied with a small smile. "I don't suppose I can persuade you to return to teaching? Defence Against the Dark Arts is yours if you want it."

Severus was surprised by the sadness in his voice when he replied. "I once coveted that job, but my circumstances have changed; my life has changed. I'll never return to teach at Hogwarts, Minerva, or anywhere else, for that matter. I've been given a second chance, and I intend to make the most of it."

"In that case, I wish you well, Severus Snape."

"And you, Minerva."

Hogwarts' newest Headmistress disappeared into the crowd, leaving Severus momentarily alone. He looked around for Tess, but then a manicured hand softly grasped his elbow, and a svelte, blonde witch led him away from the dance floor and into an alcove so shadowy it might have been the result of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder.

His eyes took some time to adjust to the dimness, but soon he could make out the long blond hair of Lucius Malfoy standing beside his wife, Narcissa, who was busy casting privacy charms all around them.

Lucius looked much healthier than the last time Severus had cast eyes upon him. He had lost his unkempt air, and he stood straight-backed and proud, but his expression was haunted, and his eyes searched Severus hungrily.

"Severus, my old friend," Lucius began with a hint of a grimace. "I trust I may still regard you as my friend?"

Severus clasped his hands behind his back. "I don't consider us enemies, Lucius."

Narcissa wound her fingers around Lucius' arm and smiled warmly. "Lucius has some things he'd like to say to you, Severus."

"Yes," Lucius affirmed, grateful for her prompting. "You know I'm forever in your debt... I cannot thank you enough for taking care of Draco whilst I was imprisoned in Azkaban. You've done so much for our family. I feel... I feel I've repaid you poorly."

"I'm unsure of your meaning, Lucius."

Lucius shifted his weight and leaned more heavily onto his cane. "I feel... responsible for your death... It was I who delivered you into the Dark Lord's hands during the Battle of Hogwarts."

Severus sighed. Was this how every encounter was going to be? He fought the urge to flee.

"If I had chosen differently," Lucius continued, "nailed my colours to the mast sooner..."

"Then the Dark Lord would've surely killed you," Severus finished testily. "I'm getting tired of people blaming themselves for my death. What's done is done. Nobody can change the past."

Narcissa took a step forward. "I think Lucius is trying to say that we're grateful for your loyalty to our family, and we wish we could demonstrate our gratitude in some way."

Severus gripped his hands tightly behind him. "There is no need."

"But, we..."

"I do not wish to become embroiled in your manoeuvring, Narcissa. Plainly, you want something from me. Spit it out, so that I may respond directly."

Narcissa's gaze dropped to the floor, crestfallen.

Lucius took hold of her dainty hand. "We find ourselves outcast, despite having received a pardon. We were hoping you might assist us in... rebuilding the Malfoy family status."

Severus gritted his teeth, emotions coiling in his stomach like rattlesnakes. Lucius and Narcissa were his longest-surviving friends, having known him for twenty-seven years, and having evaded the Ministry of Magic's rounding up of Death Eaters when the Dark Lord first fell. He could not turn his back on them now, despite his wish to begin life anew. However, he would not risk becoming beholden to them once more.

"I believe you are assisting the Ministry in tracing those loyal to the Dark Lord, by way of redeeming yourself?" Severus asked.

Lucius shifted uneasily. "We are."

"Then I see little reason for my intervention."

"You are a celebrity, Severus," Narcissa began, noticing his discomfort. "You may not wish for this kind of prominence, but it is yours nonetheless."

"I have no intention of using my standing for personal gain," Severus stated, immediately realising the folly of his words.

"You were Sorted into Slytherin, Severus," Lucius reminded him with a twisted smile. "You won't be able to resist the lure of power."

Severus knew Lucius spoke the truth, and for the first time in his life, Severus felt troubled by the notion.

Narcissa made the most of the ensuing silence, gathering herself to her formal regal heights. "We merely seek a small public endorsement, Severus. A gesture to show the wizarding world that the Malfoys are not shunned by the man who helped defeat the Dark Lord. That is all."

Her request sounded reasonable. Severus took a few moments to deliberate, before offering his hand to Narcissa.

"I offer you one dance, Narcissa, here, for people of influence to witness. After this, you alone shall determine your fate. Do you accept?"

Narcissa smiled gracefully and accepted his hand. Lucius' lips pressed together tensely, but he nodded his assent.

As Narcissa revoked her privacy spells, Lucius glanced at the formal dance and asked Severus, "What about I?"

"Find a dance partner, if you wish. Or watch us graciously from the sidelines. Either way, be a Slytherin, Lucius, and make the most of your opportunity."

Severus ignored the occasional gasp from the crowd as he led Narcissa into the centre of the dance floor, and he passed Tess, who was dancing with family-friend Neville Longbottom. Catching her eye, he attempted to communicate without words. She simply smiled and continued to chat with Longbottom.

The next time Severus caught a glimpse, Lucius Malfoy was being led onto the dance floor by Rita Skeeter, appearing quite uneasy in the journalist's clutches. Severus couldn't restrain his smirk.